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The annual JAIHO event provides a sports venue to promote international awareness and understanding between Western Illinois University and Macomb High School (MHS) students and to engage the community at large. The 2013 event focused on cricket.

Second Annual Jani International Sporting Day, "JAIHO," at WIU May 3

April 14, 2014

MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University's second annual Jani International Sporting Day (JAIHO) is set from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center on the WIU-Macomb campus. The event is open to the public and will feature demonstrations by WIU's Badminton Club, European Handball Club and Fencing Club. The event is open free to the public and will feature free pizza and drinks.

"JAIHO at Western is made possible through a generous gift from the late WIU Professor Emeritus Subhash Jani, his wife, Linda, and their family, who wanted to develop a program with enduring value that would incorporate their backgrounds, pay tribute to what made their family better citizens, promote town/gown cohesion, while 'making our town a better place.' The entire family favored the idea of fostering 'collaborative competitiveness,' something they all experienced and benefited from," said Julie Murphy, director of donor relations at Western.

JAIHO is Hindi for "May Victory Prevail," and the title of the Academy Award-winning theme song from the 2008 film "Slumdog Millionaire."

"The Jani family felt it was an appropriate term for the sentiment of the event," Murphy added.

The annual event is intended to provide a sports venue to promote international awareness and understanding between Western and Macomb High School students and to engage the community at large.

Participants come from the local and international communities of both WIU and Macomb High School, including those with special needs or disabilities. Staff from Western's Center for International Studies coordinates the event, which alternates between a U.S. and international sport or game, either indoors or outdoors, for the annual focus.

"Last year, we had a cricket demonstration, and we are hoping to have another great turnout this year," said Dana Vizdal, assistant director of orientation and student activities in Western's Center for International Studies.

For more information, contact Vizdal at (309) 298-3743 or via email at DM-Vizdal@wiu.edu.